Apparatus for finishing resinous surface coverings

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material wherein the sheet material is passed through a pressure nip having an upper hard, very smooth, resiliently backed finishing surface and a lower support surface, the outer surface of the sheet material being maintained between about 100* F and 300* F while moving through the nip, and cooling the sheet material after it has passed through the nip.

United States Patent 1 Coffin et al.

[ 1 June 5, 1973 [54] APPARATUS FOR FINISHING RESINOUS SURFACE COVERINGS [75] Inventors: Robert E. Coffin, Wayne; Anthony N. Piacente, Lawrenceville, both of [73] Assignee: Congoleum Industries Inc., Kearny,

[22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 193,704

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 24,519, April 1, 1970.

[52] U.S. Cl .;.....425/364, 425/394 [51] Int. Cl. ..B29c 3/04, B290 15/00 [58] Field of Search ..425/66, 101, 112,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,913,773 11/1959 Hassel ..264/126 3,509,354 5/1950 Jones et al. v.4-25/364 X 3,431,595 3/1969 Plum et a1. ..425/364 3,488,411 1/1970 Goldman .264/126 X 3,067,469 12/1962 Yarrison.... .....264/126 X 3,285,442 11/1966 Tigner ..425/327 X 1,949,868 3/1934 Keufiel ..15/l00 Primary ExaminerRobert L. Spicer, Jr. AttorneyShlesinger, Arkwright & Garvey [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material wherein the sheet material is passed through a pressure nip having an upper hard, very smooth, resiliently backed finishing surface and a lower support surface, the outer surface of the sheet material being maintained between about 100 F and 300 F while moving through the nip, and cooling the sheet material after it has passed through the nip.

14 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR FINISHING RESINOUS SURFACE COVERINGS This is a continuation, division, of application Ser. No. 24,519, filed Apr. 1, 1970.

This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for producing a finished surface on resinous sheet material, and more particularly, resinous surface coverings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS Recently, resinous sheet material, and more particularly, vinyl sheet material, has become extremely common and popular as surface covering material. One of the more common types of product is the vinyl asbestos tile wherein a decorative vinyl layer is laminated to an asbestos support layer. This product has found extensive use in floor and wall coverings, and its versatility has added greatly to the popularity and demand of the product.

The vinyl decorative layer may include a number of variations in color, pattern, texture, and the like. Additionally, vinyl or other resinous chips have been included in a resinous matrix to provide an even greater variation. Further, techniques have been developed for producing various appearances on the surface of the product, such as a wrinkled surface, a mottled surface, or a polished surface.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a finished surface of a unique character to a vinyl asbestos product, and particularly to a vinyl asbestos product wherein resinous chips are incorporated into a resinous matrix.

Therefore, a primary object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for imparting a pleasing appearance to a resinous surface covering.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for polishing, finishing or burnishing the surface of a resinous sheet product.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus which may be readily used with existing processing machinery for finishing the surface of resinous sheets.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a polishing apparatus wherein the polishing surface remains stationary while the material to be smooth polished is moved passed the polishing surface while the pressure contact therewith.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material wherein the finishing surface may be easily replaced upon wear.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent when considered in light of the following specification and claims when taken together with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of this invention portions being shown schematically and fragmentarily; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. lshowing the pressure nip area.

Referring now to the drawing, the apparatus of this invention is seen as comprising a C-frame press or the like generally designated P located immediately adjacent to the end of the precipitator 10. In precipitator 10, the sheet material or work generally designated W is formed. After leaving the precipitator 10, the sheet material W is supported on a stationary support member or press platen l2.

Positioned above the support member 12 is a movable upper platen 14 which'carries at its lower end a steel plate 16, plate 16 being suitably attached to the upper platen 14 as by bolts 18.

Fastened to steel plate 16 as by clamps 20 and bolts 22 is a back-up member or press platen 24. At the central portion of back-up member 24 is a filler block 26 which serves to space the back-up member 24 from the steel plate 16. Positioned against the back-up member 24 and also secured by clamps 20 is a resilient pressing member 28. Pressing member 28 may comprise any suitable resilient type of material, but it should be heat resistant for purposes which will be hereinafter understood. The preferred type of resilient material would be a silicone sponge material.

Adjacent the left side of the press P as seen in the drawings,-is a roll 30 which carries the polishing or finishing web 32 which will be described below. Polishing web 32 passes beneath the resilient pressing member 28, and to a take-up roll 34. Rolls 30 and 34 are supported by means (not shown) which may be secured to the upper platen 14. Web 32 should have a very smooth or highly polished slippery surface for contacting the sheet material W. In the preferred embodiment, the web 32 is a glass fiber belt having a fluorocarbon coating such as a polytetrafluoroalkylene thereon. A suitable coating material would be polytetrafluoroethylene. An alternate form of the web would be a highly polished metal surface such as a chrome or stainless steel belt.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION In operation, a suitable means such as the cooperating rolls 36 and 38 are provided for moving the sheet material W through the press P. The sheet material leaves the precipitator 10 at an elevated temperature, but below the melting point of the resin layer. Press slide 14 is lowered so as to exert pressure through the back-up member 24, the resilient pressing member 28 and the polishing web 32 against the sheet material W. Rolls 36 and 38 feed and pull the sheet material W through the nip 40 formed by the finishing web 32 and the support member 12. Because of the very slippery surface on the finished web 32, the degree of friction imparted by the web 32 is reduced. However, because of the pressure exerted perpendicular to the sheet material W, a plastic deformation of the surface of the sheet material W takes place. The material closest to the surface of the sheet W tends to slide with respect to the material just below it, and a very smooth and unique finish is imparted to the sheet material W.

In order to obtain the desired surface finish, it is necessary that the work be maintained at an elevated temperature, but below the melting point of the resinous material. The temperature range can be between F and 300 F, however, a preferred range is between F and 260 F. This may be accomplished by heating web 32 or by applying a suitable heating means 33 to the press area.

Also, it has been found desirable to maintain the area of contact at the nip 40 between the finishing web 32 and the work W about 1 inch in width as best illustrated in FIG. 2.

Since the finishing web 32 is stationary during the operation of this invention, the area of contact may reduce the efficiency of the finishing surface because of wear. it then becomes necessary to renew the surface. This is accomplished by the raising of the press slide 14 to provide a clearance between the web 32 and the sheet material W. When the press slide 14 is raised roll 34 may be rotated in the direction indicated to incrementally advance the finishing web 32. This provides a new surface for finishing the sheet material W, and only a minimal amount of time is necessary to thus change the work contacting portion of the web 32.

While this invention has been described, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential feature hereinbefore set forth, as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material including:

a. supportmeans for said sheet material,

b. a press having movable platen means mounted above said support means, said movable platen means having press and release positions,

c. resilient pad means on said movable platen,

. finishing means positioned between said support means and said resilient pad means and in contact with said resilient pad means for sliding contact with said sheet material, and being stationary while in contact with said sheet material,

e. said finishing means and said support means forming a nip for said sheet material when said movable platen means is in said press position,

f. means for moving said sheet material through said nip and relative to said finishing means and said support means while said platen means is in said press position,

g. whereby when said sheet material is moved through said nip upon actuation of said moving means, a finished surface is produced on said sheet material as a result of said sliding contact.

2. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 1 and wherein:

a. said resilient pad means comprises heat resistant material.

'3. An apparatusfor finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 2 and wherein:

a. said heat resistant material is pore formed.

4. Ari apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 3 and wherein:

a. said heat resistant material comprises a silicone resin.

5. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 4 and wherein:

a. said finishing means includes a web movable while said platen is in said release position for renewing the contact area of said finishing means.

6. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 5 and including:

a. means for incrementally advancing said web when said platen means is in said release position.

7. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 6 and wherein:

a. said incremental advancing means includes feed and take-up rolls.

8. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 7 and wherein:

a. said web comprises a fluorocarbon-glass fiber belt.

9. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 8 and wherein:

a. said fluorocarbon comprises a polytetrafluoroalkylene.

10. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 9 and wherein:

a. said fluorocarbon orethylene.

11. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 7 and wherein:

a. said web comprises a polished chrome belt.

12. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 7 and wherein:

a.-said web comprises a stainless stell belt.

13. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 10 and including:

a. means for maintaining the temperature of said sheet material above room temperature.

14. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 10 and including:

a. means for maintaining the temperature of said sheet material between F and 260 F.

comprises polytetraflu- 

1. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material including: a. support means for said sheet material, b. a press having movable platen means mounted above said support means, said movable platen means having press and release positions, c. resilient pad means on said movable platen, d. finishing means positioned between said support means and said resilient pad means and in contact with said resilient pad means for sliding contact with said sheet material, and being stationary while in contact with said sheet material, e. said finishing means and said support means forming a nip for said sheet material when said movable platen means is in said press position, f. means for moving said sheet material through said nip and relative to said finishing means and said support means while said platen means is in said press position, g. whereby when said sheet material is moved through said nip upon actuation of said moving means, a finished surface is produced on said sheet material as a result of said sliding contact.
 2. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 1 and wherein: a. said resilient pad means comprises heat resistant material.
 3. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 2 and wherein: a. said heat resistant material is pore formed.
 4. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 3 and wherein: a. said heat resistant material comprises a silicone resin.
 5. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 4 and wherein: a. said finishing means includes a web movable while said platen is in said release position for renewing the contact area of said finishing means.
 6. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 5 and including: a. means for incrementally advancing said web when said platen means is in said release position.
 7. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 6 and wherein: a. said incremental advancing means includes feed and take-up rolls.
 8. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 7 and wherein: a. said web comprises a fluorocarbon-glass fiber belt.
 9. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 8 and wherein: a. said fluorocarbon comprises a polytetrafluoroalkylene.
 10. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 9 and wherein: a. said fluorocarbon comprises polytetrafluorethylene.
 11. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 7 and wherein: a. said web comprises a polished chrome belt.
 12. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 7 and wherein: a. said web comprises a stainless stell belt.
 13. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 10 and including: a. means for maintaining the temperature of said sheet material above room temperature.
 14. An apparatus for finishing resinous sheet material as in claim 10 and including: a. means for maintaining the temperature of said sheet material between 100* F and 260* F. 